Sports game

Abstract

A method of playing a sports game with the use of a ring as a game element comprises a competition between two teams on playing ground divided by a net. Players of teams disposed on opposite sides of the net pass the ring over the net until it touches the other team's base ground within the borders of the area or beyond it. The ring can be received and passed by hands, feet, head or body without fixing it in an non-rotary state. Players may pass the ring to teammates a predetermined number of times before propelling the ring over the net. The playing ground may be fenced over its perimeter by an elastic barrier such that rebounds of the ring off of the barrier are in play. The ring may be made of a elastic material in the shape of a polygon, particularly equilateral polygon, in longitudinal section. A ring with luminescent coating or internal sources of light may be used.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional of copending application: U.S. application Ser. No. 09/868,433, which is a national stage application of PCT Application No. PCT/RU99/00419, filed Oct. 28, 1999.

FIELD OF TECHNIQUE

[0002] The invention belongs to sports game in which a ring is used as a game element. It can be used both by amateurs of outdoor games and by professionals. The game is named by the inventor “BELRING”.

PREVIOUS LEVEL OF TECHNIQUE

[0003] The interest in non-traditional sports games grows over recent years while the interest in classic sports and games is preserved. Due to mobility and spectacular character of sports games with the use of a ring have become popular lately.

[0004] The known sports game is “ringo” intended for sports and sanitation purposes (RU,C1,2033829) In the process of this game players cast and catch a rubber ring.

[0005] The disadvantage of this game is its static character, low loads and hence —low training effect. The game is intended mostly for younger children and elders.

[0006] Another known sports game is a competition of two teams of players with the use of an inflated game element in the shape of a ring (RU,C1,2014860). Two teams composed of several players take part in this game. The players pass the game element on the playing ground among members of their team and throw it trying to hit the target—a pin on which the ring shall be thrown. The player who got the ring in motion or on completion of moving the ring uses the three-pace rhythm to stop or to throw the ring.

[0007] The disadvantage of this game is its low dynamics, low spectacularity. According to the description the game is intended for primary schoolchildren and chairbound persons.

[0008] There is another sports game with the use of a ring as a game element—a competition of two teams on the playing ground marked off on the base and divided by a net into two equal parts, players of teams are located at both sides from the net and they pass and meet the ring until it touches the base within the borders of the area or beyond it. (L. E. Argun, R. Kh. Khanoverov, Ringo is your health!, Lubertsy, 1992). In the process of the game the ring may be intercepted, fixed (caught) only by hand; players may not rebound the ring or to meet it with their forearms or other parts (the leg, the neck, the body); the ring may be kept by a player without any limitations or during 5 sec. The ring may not be passed to the player of the same team, a player of this team may catch the ring that another player failed to catch properly. The ring may not touch anything located within or beyond the borders of the playing ground, parts of the body except hands and “the glass wall space”.

[0009] However the game is not sufficiently dynamic due to keeping the caught ring by players without any limitation of time. The technique used in the game is rather monotonous that is the ring is caught by hand and thrown on the rivals' area which make the game not sufficiently spectacular. Combinations possibilities are practically absent as a player may not pass the ring to his partners. Besides it shall be noted that physical loads on players are not high as only quite restricted part of muscles is subjected to loading. Hence the game has an insignificant training effect and can be of interest mostly for middle-aged and elder persons.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The purpose of the invention is to elaborate a dynamical, spectacular, entertaining sports game accessible for people of different age and making it possible to vary physical loads from low to intensive.

[0011] According to the invention this problem is solved by using a ring as the game element in a sports game which is a competition of two teams on a playing ground marked off on the base and divided by a net into two equal parts; the players pass the ring and meet it until the ring touches the base within the zone of the playing ground or beyond it. The ring may be met and passed by hands, feet, head, body. The contact of the player with the ring is effected as a shot, throw or rotation of the ring by any part of the body without fixing it in immobile state; the players serving the ring make one or several passes to their partners; the playing ground can be fenced over its perimeter with a elastic barrier, the game element may also be caught and passed if it rebounded from the elastic barrier; the ring may be made of an elastic material its longitudinal section being in the shape of a polygon, particularly equilateral polygon; a luminescent coating may be applied on the surface or the ring may be fabricated from a material containing phosphor; the ring may be hollow, made of a transparent material with sources of light and power supply cells inserted into the ring; the ring of a hula hoop type may be used as well,

[0012] The applicant did not find any sources of information that contain data on technical solutions identical to the claimed one which in the opinion of the applicant enables to make a conclusion that the invention conforms to the “Novelty” (N) criterion.

[0013] Due to realization of the invention claims new important properties of the subject are reached:

[0014] continuity of the game process (no pauses when the ring is met by players);

[0015] continuous motion of the ring (rotation or flight);

[0016] enlargement of forms of contact of the player with the game element (participation of hands, feet, head, body in the contacts with the ring, interaction by a shot, throw or rotation of the ring with a part of the body);

[0017] increased combination possibilities in the process of the game (due to passes of the ring among the partners and use of the elastic barrier for parrying the ring);

[0018] increased accuracy of passes and accuracy of throwing the ring in the definite place of the playing ground because when striking the rectilinear side of the ring not point by linear contact occurs which makes the trajectory of the flight of the ring more definite after the stroke.

[0019] New properties of the claimed invention make the game dynamical, entertaining, spectacular, increase its training effect both on various groups of muscles and on the organism of players as a whole.

[0020] The applicant did not find any information on the influence of the distinctive features of the invention on the final technical result. Hence the conclusion can be made that the invention conforms to the “Inventive step” (IS) criterion,

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0021] Subsequently, the invention is explained by detailed description of the example with reference to the attached drawings in which the following items are presented:

[0022] FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of the playing ground, the net, and elastic barriers intended for realization of the claimed game;

[0023] FIG. 2 is a perspective view in axonometric projection of the playing ground, the net, and elastic barriers intended for realization of the claimed game;

[0024] FIG. 3 is a plan view of a ring for the sports game, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] FIG. 4 is a cross section of a ring along lines I-I in FIG. 3;

[0026] FIG. 5 is a fragment of a longitudinal section of a ring for the sports game, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

BEST VARIANT OF REALIZATION OF THE INVENTION

[0027] The sports game named “BELRING” shall be realized in the following way.

[0028] Playing ground 2 (here 16×8 m2) is marked off on horizontal base 1 (FIG. 1 —shown with dotted lines), in this example—covered with wooden pavement. Playing ground 2 is divided into two equal areas by vertical net 3 formed by elastic members 4 tightened in vertical direction and fitted with protective coatings 5 and horizontal ropes 6. The distance between vertical elastic members is chosen so as to prevent passing the ring through the net. Upper and lower ropes 6 are bearing and elastic members 4 are fastened to them. Intermediate ropes 6 are also provided with protective coatings 7. Ropes 6 are secured to poles 8 installed on both the sides of playing ground 2. Poles 8 are fitted with braces 9. Elastic barrier 10 is installed over the perimeter of playing ground 2. Barrier 10 consists of vertical elastic members 11 similar to members 4 of net 3 and fitted with protective coatings 12. Elastic members 11 are fastened to ropes 13 stretched between vertical poles 14 with braces 15. Elastic members 11 are spaced so as to make it possible for players to pass between them to the area beyond playing ground 2. A ring, particularly a ring of the “hula hoop” type (not shown) may be used as a game element. To increase dynamics and to make the game more spectacular two rings of different colours may be used. In the specific example ring 16 is made of elastic material, particularly of PVC. Cavity 18 is provided inside body 17 of ring 16 over the whole perimeter. The longitudinal section of ring 16 is made in the shape of a polygon, particularly equilateral polygon, with 12 sides each being 30 cm long. To make the game more spectacular and to increase its psychological influence on players and spectators the game may be organized in a low-illuminated premise. In this case a ring shall be used with luminescent (particularly crystal phosphorus) coating. The whole ring may be made of a material containing phosphorus. Besides sources of light 19 can be inserted into cavity 18 of the ring, particularly light emission diodes connected in series and fitted with power supply cells. The referee sits on referee's tower 20. In the event that two rings are used in the game two additional referees on towers 21 and 22 may be involved.

[0029] Before the commencement of the game players of the teams (in this example four persons in each team) take their places on the playing ground at either side from net 3. When the bell rings one of the players serves ring 16 by throwing it from the rear line of playing ground 2. This service is made arbitrarily: by throwing the ring, kicking it by hand or foot. The service is deemed to be made correctly if the ring reached the rival's side of playing ground 2 without touching net 3 or barrier 10 on the side of the team that performs the service. In the event that the ring touched barrier 10 on the rival's side the service is deemed to be made correctly. If the service was made not correctly it will be made by the rival a point being reckoned in his favour. In the event that service was made correctly the ring is met by the players of the rival team. The ring may be met by hands, feet, head or body. Forearms and elbows as well as shanks and knees of players are protected with shields, the head is protected with a helmet. When meeting the ring it may be parried or rotated by a part of the body with a subsequent pass or a shot to the rival's side, but players may not fix the ring in immobile (not rotary) condition. When the ring is kicked its trajectory is rather determined which is essential when making a pass or throwing the ring in the desired place on the playing ground. The ring met may be immediately thrown over net 3 to the rivals' area directly or rebounded from elastic barrier 10 over the perimeter of playing ground 2 or it may be passed by the player to any partner of his team. The number of passes is restricted, in this example it is four which corresponds to the number of players.

[0030] The ring is passed from one player to another until it touches base 1 in the zone of marked off playing ground 2 or beyond it. The point, which is proposed to be called a “BEL” is deemed to be won if the ring touched the rival's area of playing ground 2 or lost if it fell beyond the rival's area. When playing with two rings they are served by players of the same team simultaneously. The game is played until 3 sets are won and in each set the game is continued until 27 points are scored. If the score is twenty six twenty six the set is continued until the difference in the score is two points.

[0031] Male, female and mixed teams may participate in the proposed game.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0032] To realize the game usual materials and equipment are used. The game can be played both on specially equipped playing ground and on a ground on which other sports game are played: basketball, volleyball after installation of the net and the barriers. Hence the conclusion can be made that the invention conforms to the “industrial applicability” (IA) criterion.

Claims

1. A method of playing a sports game, the sports game having at least one ring as a game element, wherein said sports game is a competition between a first team and a second team on a playing ground having a perimeter and divided by a net into two equal parts, and wherein members of the teams are located on opposite sides of the net, the method comprising:

propelling the at least one ring over the net by the first team, wherein the second team attempts to prevent the ring from touching the playing ground; and,

if the second team prevents the ring from touching the playing ground, propelling the ring over the net by the second team, wherein the first team attempts to prevent the ring from touching the playing ground;

wherein the members propel and receive the ring until it touches the playing ground or other ground beyond the perimeter,

and wherein said sports game involves receiving and propelling the ring by hands, feet, head or body,

and wherein contact of the member with the ring is as a shot or throw of the ring, or rotation of the ring with a part of the member's body without fixing it in non-rotary state.

2. The method of playing a sports game according to claim 1, wherein a team can make one or several passes of the ring among team members before propelling the ring over the net.

3. The method of playing a sports game according to claim 1, further comprising:

providing an elastic barrier over the perimeter of the playing ground, wherein the game element in the shape of a ring is allowed to be received and propelled if it is rebounded from the elastic barrier.

4. The method of playing a sports game according to claim 1, wherein the at least one ring is made of an elastic material and is in the shape of a polygon in longitudinal section.

5. The method of playing a sports game according to claim 4, wherein the at least one ring is in the shape of an equilateral polygon in longitudinal section.

6. The method of playing a sports game according to claim 1, wherein the at least one ring comprises a luminescent coating on its surface.

7. The method of playing a sports game according to claim 1, wherein the at least one ring is made of a material containing phosphorus.

8. The method of playing a sports game according to claim 1, wherein the at least one ring is hollow and made of a transparent material with a source of light and a source of power supply inside it.

9. The method of playing a sports game according to claim 1, wherein the at least one ring is a “hula hoop”.

10. The method of playing a sports game according to claim 2, further comprising:

providing an elastic barrier over the perimeter of the playing ground, wherein the game element in the shape of a ring is allowed to be received and passed or propelled if it is rebounded from the elastic barrier.

11. A method of playing a sports game, comprising:

providing a playing ground having a perimeter with a net dividing the playing ground into two equal areas;

providing a first team and a second team disposed on opposite sides of the net, the teams each comprised of at least one member; and

providing at least one resilient ring adapted to be propelled over the net by a member of a team, wherein one team scores a predetermined number of points when a member of the team propels the ring over the net and the ring touches the playing ground on the opposite side of the net, and wherein no points are scored if the ring is received by the other team before the ring touches the playing ground,

and wherein when a member receives the at least one ring element, the member may either propel the at least one ring element back over the net, or rotate the at least one ring element about a body part before propelling the at least one ring element, but the player may not catch and fix the at least one ring element in a non-rotary state.

12. The method of playing a sports game as recited in claim 11, further comprising:

providing a vertically oriented elastic barrier around the perimeter of the playing ground.

13. The method of playing a sports game as recited in claim 12, wherein one team scores a predetermined number of points when a member of that team propels the at least one ring off of a portion of the elastic barrier and onto the playing ground on the opposite side of the net.

14. The method of playing a sports game as recited in claim 11, wherein the team members are permitted to pass the at least one ring to other team members up to a predetermined limited number of times before a team member must propel the ring over the net.

15. The method of playing a sports game as recited in claim 11 wherein the at least one ring made of an elastic material.

16. The method of playing a sports game as recited in claim 11, wherein the at least one ring is in the shape of a polygon.

17. The method of playing a sports game as recited in claim 16, wherein the at least one ring is in the shape of an equilateral polygon.

18. The method of playing a sports game as recited in claim 11, wherein the at least one ring is made of a material containing phosphorus.

19. The method of playing a sports game as recited in claim 11, wherein the at least one ring is hollow and transparent, the ring being adapted to contain a light source.

20. The method of playing a sports game as recited in claim 11, wherein a team scores a predetermined number of points when an opposing team propels a ring element over the net and the ring element touches ground outside of the playing ground perimeter.